NCCM: “Evoking anti-Semitic tropes is clearly unacceptable”

On September 3, 2019 the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the leading political advocacy organization for the Canadian Muslim community, issued the following statement:

Late last week, the Liberal Party of Canada revoked the candidacy of Hassan Guillet after allegations arose around anti-Semitic comments made some years ago.

We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again today: racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, or any form of discrimination against minority communities from elected officials or candidates is simply unacceptable, regardless of political stripe. While the freedom to critique state policy is part of what it means to be Canadian, it is unacceptable for elected officials to engage in discourse that unfairly marginalizes or stigmatizes minorities.

We are pleased with the fact that the Mr. Guillet has made it clear that, “these statements do not reflect my personality, nor my way of being…Since then I have evolved. Everyone who knows me, personally or through my works, knows that I am against hate, racism, anti-Semitism and violence regardless of the identity of the perpetrators or victims.”

Our principles and our beliefs teach us that there is always room for redemption, always a chance to change ourselves. While evoking anti-Semitic tropes is clearly unacceptable, we would also encourage folks to continue to engage in dialogue with Mr. Guillet – because there must be always room to change. And that goes not just for Mr. Guillet – that goes for everyone.